Former Los Angeles Police Department Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell, who also spent four years as county sheriff, was named Friday the next chief of the LAPD, taking over a department that will deal with major security issues in the coming years as the region hosts the Olympics, a Super Bowl and the World Cup.
Mayor Karen Bass made the announcement at a Friday morning news conference at City Hall, selecting McDonnell from among three finalists for the job. McDonnell, also a former Long Beach Police Department chief, will replace Michael Moore, who retired in February. Dominic Choi has been serving as interim chief.
The Los Angeles Police Commission submitted three candidates for police chief to Bass in August — McDonnell, LAPD Deputy Chief Emada Tingirides and former Assistant Chief Robert “Bobby” Arcos, who has been working with District Attorney George Gascon’s office as head of investigations.
Bass called McDonnell “one of America’s finest police professionals” and a “nationally recognized thought leaders on public safety.”
She said that working with McDonnell, “together we will grow and strengthen LAPD,” and “will strengthen relationships with the community.”
Bass also expressed confidence in McDonnell to keep Los Angeles safe during upcoming major events — the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympic Games — noting that after spending time in Paris during the recent Olympics, “the magnitude of what L.A. needs to prepare for us crystal clear to me.”
McDonnell also recognized that challenge, saying, “In the next five years, the eyes of the world will be upon us.”
“Our department and our city will be showcased, and we will be prepared,” he said. “What a great opportunity that is for all of us in L.A.”
McDonnell noted that he began his law enforcement career at the LAPD police academy 43 years ago, and said “standing before you here today is a dream realized.”
He said his goals were enhancing public safety in the city, “growing our department back to full strength,” and “to strengthen public trust” and develop community relationships, while ensuring “respectful and constitutional policing practices.”
An executive recruiting firm was hired by City Hall to search for candidates months ago. The Police Commission announced in August at the end of a special meeting it submitted the names of three finalists to the mayor’s office.
Police Commission President Erroll Southers said he spoke to many people during the search process, and the common themes he heard relating to McDonnell were that he was “honest, seasoned and a man of integrity.”